If you were wondering what (I SAD) stands for? It stands for International Stuttering Awareness Day. The day is on October 22nd, and it’s intended to raise the public awareness of the millions of people who have the speech disorder of stuttering, including over 3 million Americans. Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak. Stuttering is also referred to as stammering.
The causes are four factors most likely to contribute to the development of stuttering: (Child development)It tends to run in families, and males are at a higher chance then girls. (Genetics) Children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter. (Neurophysiology) Recent neurological research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language slightly differently than those who do not stutter. (Family dynamics) High expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can contribute to stuttering.
If you’re wondering why I have so much interest on the topic of Stuttering; it is because I Stutter. I have been stuttering since I can remember, and going to therapy since I was three. I wish I can tell you it was easy growing up with a stuttering problem, but that would be a lie. Growing up was hard, because kids at a young age can be mean even when you have nothing wrong with you. I have had many challenges growing up, but without those challenges I would not be the person I am today. My stuttering has taught me that no one is perfect, and that even though I stutter there are people who have far worse problems then I do. My stuttering has taught me to have courage not to run and hide, but to face problems head on and to be bold in everything I do.
While being on the race I have seen a lot of growth within myself, and how I view my stuttering. I had meet a man name Anthony in Laredo, Peru who did not speak for the first 17 years of his life. He had told us he was born with a stuttering problem, and because of it he chose not to talk. It wasn’t until he felt God tell him to preach in church, that he spoke clearly for the first time. Hearing his story, made me proud of myself and how I put myself out there to talk to people even when I feel like they are laughing inside. It has never occurred to me, that people want to hear me speak for what I have to say, and nothing else. I’m proud to be different because I can give hope to others who have it worse than I do. I can teach them that it’s ok to be special.
“I HAVE A VOICE!” a quote from the Kings Speech is always on my mind. If a King who stutters can rule an empire, I can do anything!
